NEW YORK (AP) — Apple has its first box-office hit. “F1 The Movie” debuted with $55.6 million in North American theaters and $144 million globally over the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday, handing the tech company easily its biggest opening yet.Though Apple Original Films has had some notable successes in its six years in Hollywood — including the 2021 Oscar-winner “CODA” — its theatrical results have been decidedly mixed. Misfires like “Argylle” and “Fly Me to the Moon” and big-budget awards plays like Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” and Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” have been better at driving viewers to Apple TV+ than movie theaters.But “F1” was Apple’s first foray into summer blockbuster territory. It won a bidding war for the project from much of the production team behind the 2022 box-office smash “Top Gun: Maverick.” Apple then partnered with Warner Bros. to distributed the film starring Brad Pitt, Damson Idris and Kerry Condon.With a production budget over $200 million, “F1” still…

With a production budget over $200 million, “F1” still has several laps to go to turn a profit. But for now, “F1” is full speed ahead.

Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ is racing into the hearts of audiences. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film is climbing the box office charts, earning impressive numbers along the way.

"F1," a big-budget racing drama starring Brad Pitt, impressively revved to $55.6 million in its domestic opening weekend.

Brad Pitt's F1 crushed the industry's predictions with its impressive collection on the opening weekend in North America. Read on

After some controversial advertising, Apple's 'F1' will be the company's best-ever theatrical debut, after a $10M preview and an immersive trailer for the Apple Vision Pro.